Estimating that it had been more than 20 minutes since she had been home, Isabel stood up and picked up the long sword that had been placed aside, and said as she tied it to her waist, "Mother, Effie, I have to go." I'll talk to you again when I get back from Sir in the evening. ”

Euphemia stood up, put her hands on the lower abdomen of the hoop skirt and said movingly, "My dearest sister, why did you leave so quickly? I'd like to talk to you a little longer. ”

Antonia also stood up, hugged Isabel and said, "My good daughter, if Your Highness does not leave you for dinner, send someone back to tell us." It's been a long time since our family had dinner together. ”

Isabel nodded solemnly and said, "Mother, I will." ”

After hugging his mother, he hugged his sister and said, "Effie, when I come back, you must tell me which boy you like." ”

"What if I'm not going to tell you?"

"Of course, you don't have to tell me. However, I'll be sure to bring your favorite dress over and put it on my bed after sunset. Then, I'll lie down on top of your skirt and sleep beautifully. ”

Before Euphemia could react, Isabel jerked away from her embrace, turned and ran out of the living room, laughing and briskly running.

I heard a sister's voice behind me: "Isabel, even if you don't sleep tonight, I will never let you do this!" ”

At this moment, a sweaty would-be knight, led by a servant, anxiously walked into the hallway leading to the living room. When he saw Isabel trotting over, he hurriedly saluted and said, "Your Excellency, please return to the castle at once." ”

Isabel let the servants who had saluted her leave, and as she walked back with the would-be knights, she said, "How did you find me?" What happened? ”

"Your Excellency, I have asked many tenant farmers before I know you are here. Miss Carolyn Swift is at the castle again, and she still has to see you before she returns. ”

"Damn, why wouldn't the eldest daughter of Lord Darlington's family admit it?"

As she spoke, Isabel and the would-be knight had come to the outside of the manor, stepped on the war horse that Herbert had brought for her, and Herbert and the other three would-be knights did not dare to slack off and rode their horses and whips to follow closely behind.

Ten minutes away, the four men and four horses used only half the time to rush back to the castle. Along the way to the Guard's training grounds, Isabel saw Viscount Darlington's eldest daughter standing beside the Duke arguing with him.

Grabbed the horse and jumped off the horse, throwing the reins to Herbert, who dismounted first. Holding the hilt of the long sword in his left hand, he calmly came to the two of them, smiled and saluted the Duke of Richmond first, "Good day, Your Highness." ”

After Henry smiled and nodded in response, she saluted Caroline, who was standing to Henry's left, and said, "Good day, Miss Swift." ”

Caroline didn't speak, just carefully observed Isabel, whose hair looked messy when she returned. His eyes stared at her face, which had become a little ruddy after exercise, and suddenly he said, "Your Excellency, do you know that there is a very special apple variety on the island of Bad Sey in the Principality of Wales?" ”

"Miss, are you talking about the Principality of Wales, which will be formally incorporated into the Kingdom after the passage of this year's Union Act and will forever be under the patronage of His Majesty the King?"

"Yes, Your Excellency, have you ever tasted a Welsh apple?"

Henry looked at this and at that, and he could barely make out what the two men were talking about at this point. After glancing at Caroline, who looked a little odd, she coughed lightly.

Isabel turned her gaze to him, only to hear Henry whisper, "Isabel, do you know what the Lord's eldest daughter intends to discuss with you?" ”

Isabel squinted at Caroline, her lips squirmed slightly, and she said, "It's nothing, Your Highness." Presumably, Miss Swift was intrigued by the change in my countenance, but she refused to admit it. ”

Henry chuckled and shook his head, but he didn't expect that the Lord's eldest daughter had been listening silently on one side while the two were talking. Caroline glared into Isabelle's eyes and said, "Your Excellency, should I call you 'Lady Medusa' or a female villain from the north?" Do you really think I don't know what you're talking about with Your Highness? ”

When Henry heard the word "villain", he immediately became a little angry, and said coldly: "Miss Swift, do you know what you call my Privy Counsellor?" If you can consider the consequences of doing so, I think I can leave aside for a moment the fact that you have made a serious mistake. ”

Isabel shook her head at him, and while dissuading Henry with her eyes, she smiled and said, "Congratulations, Miss, you can now understand what others are saying by the movement of their lips." ”

Her words have two meanings, the first of which is to compliment Carolyn for her observant ability to easily capture subtle conversations that appear in social situations.

The second implication is to tell Caroline that she is sensitive and suspicious in social situations where aristocrats are present. Not only did he lose his status as a noble child, but he also greatly hurt the self-esteem of other nobles.

Judging from the content of their conversations, the tone of their voices, and the degree of acquaintance with each other, the relationship between the two has surpassed the official relationship between the privy counsellor of the Duke's Court and the eldest daughter of the viscount. Not only that, Caroline called Isabel "honorific" in the dueling arena while also using a derogatory word to directly address her.

The "demon" who appeared in Carolyn Swift's nightmare was Isabel Walton, the thief commander in Operation Hostage Ransom the previous fall. She was the one who planned and participated in the attack on the Reward Army, and succeeded in capturing Caroline's brother Joseph.

According to the logic of ordinary people, Isabel Walton is indeed a villain who has ruthlessly knocked down her self-confidence, but also saddled her family with huge debts.

There is no doubt that she is the enemy that Caroline must kill in her life. But now, the relationship between the two has developed into an incredible one. Is this another manifestation of Stockholm syndrome? Or is there a mutated hostage complex between Caroline and Isabel?

"Miss, allow me to say a few words to Your Highness." Isabel, still smiling, said.

"Yes, but I know what you want to say to Your Highness. Do you want to know why I would know what you said to Your Highness? Scoundrel, we need to talk. Caroline said a lot of things.

"Of course, as long as you're willing to wait a little longer." After Isabel finished speaking, she gave Henry a look. The two walked to the side of the training ground, and Henry glanced at Caroline, who looked like a lioness looking for prey, and said, "You have to be careful, maybe Miss Swift has learned a new sword technique and intends to duel with you." ”

Isabel smiled and said, "It's okay, I'm very confident in my swordsmanship. Even if her swordsmanship is stronger than mine, I have a way to deal with her. ”

Henry looked at her worriedly and said, "Isabel, aren't you worried that you will be killed by her at all?" ”